Hydroponics is a popular method of growing plants that does not require soil. Water is used as the primary growing medium in this system, allowing for greater precision in supplying plants with nutrients. One of the most popular forms of hydroponics is the water wicking system. It is easy to set up and maintain and only requires a container, a growing medium, and a wick. In this blog, we will share different ways to set up your own water wick method hydroponics system, from a simple mason jar to a more elaborate system.
Mason Jar Wick Method Hydroponics
The simplest form of the water wicking system is the mason jar setup. It only requires a mason jar, a wick, and growing media. Fill the jar with water, leaving some space at the top. Place the wick in the water with one end touching the bottom of the jar, and the other end placed on top of the growing media (e.g., coconut coir, Rockwool, or perlite). Plant the seedling in the growing medium and watch it grow. This setup is perfect for small plants and herbs.
Best Plants for Mason Jar Method
Certain plants are particularly well-suited to the mason jar water wicking hydroponic setup. Herbs such as basil, parsley, cilantro, and mint are excellent choices due to their compact growth habit and relatively low nutrient requirements. Leafy greens like lettuce and spinach also thrive in this system, thanks to their fast growth rate and shallow root systems. For those interested in edible flowers, nasturtiums not only grow well but also add a splash of color to your indoor garden.
Types of Wicks and Medium
When it comes to choosing wicks, consider absorbency and durability. Cotton string and nylon rope are affordable, readily available, and effectively wick moisture upward. Felt strips are another excellent option as they hold up well over time.
For the growing medium, coconut coir is a sustainable and efficient choice as it retains moisture and provides excellent air circulation. Perlite is a lightweight volcanic glass that has excellent water-retention properties and helps improve aeration. Rockwool, a fibrous material produced from basalt rock, is also a popular choice due to its high water retention and ease of use.
Step-by-Step Setup of Mason Jar Wicking System
- Select your mason jar: Any clear, sizeable mason jar will do. The larger the jar, the less often you will need to refill the water.
- Select your wick: A variety of materials can be used as a wick, such as cotton string, nylon rope, or felt strips. Ensure the wick is long enough to extend from the bottom of the jar to the growing medium.
- Select your growing medium: Coconut coir, perlite, and Rockwool are all excellent choices.
- Assemble the system: Fill the jar with water, leaving some space at the top. Place the wick in the water with one end touching the bottom and the other end placed on top of the growing medium.
- Plant your seedling: Place the seed into the growing medium, slightly above where the wick is placed. The wick will draw water up to the seed, providing it with the necessary moisture to grow.
Bucket Self-Watering System another Wick Method Hydroponics
Another way to build a water wicking hydroponics system is to utilize a bucket. Begin by drilling a hole at the base of the bucket, making sure the hole is slightly bigger than the width of the wick. Thread the wick through the hole and place it in the bucket. Make sure that the end of the wick is touching the water. Add the growing medium and plant the seedling. The bucket method is ideal for larger plants and provides a homemade self-watering system.
Best Plants for Bucket Self-Watering System
The bucket self-watering system is particularly efficient for larger plants that have deeper root systems and need more room to grow. Vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and zucchinis are excellent choices for this system due to their high water requirements and size. Larger herbs such as rosemary and lemongrass also thrive in the bucket setup. Finally, various fruiting plants like strawberries and dwarf fruit trees can be successfully grown using this method, given the ample space for their expansive root systems.
Types of Wicks and Medium for Bucket Self-Watering System
The successful operation of a bucket self-watering system relies heavily on the choice of wick and growing medium. For the wick, materials that can absorb and transport water efficiently are crucial. Synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, or polyacrylonitrile work well due to their high absorbency and durability. Remember, the wick should be thick enough to draw sufficient water for the plant’s needs.
As for the growing medium, choose one that balances water retention with good aeration. Coarse vermiculite or a premium potting mix, which typically contains a combination of peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite, are excellent choices. These materials can retain a good amount of water without becoming waterlogged, ensuring that plant roots receive both moisture and oxygen. Additionally, they are loose and well-draining, which is essential for preventing root diseases.
Step-by-Step Setup of Bucket Self-Watering System
- Select your bucket: Choose a sturdy bucket that is large enough to accommodate your plant and its growing root system. A 5-gallon bucket usually works well for most plants.
- Drill a hole: Using a drill, make a hole at the base of the bucket. The size of the hole should be slightly larger than the width of your chosen wick.
- Insert the wick: Thread your wick through the hole from the inside of the bucket. Make sure the wick extends out of the bucket at the bottom and up into the bucket where the growing medium will be placed.
- Choose your growing medium: Fill the bucket with your chosen growing medium. This can be coarse vermiculite or a premium potting mix. Ensure that the wick is sufficiently surrounded by the growing medium.
- Assemble the reservoir: Place the bucket in a shallow reservoir or tray filled with water. The part of the wick extending out of the bucket should be submerged in the water. This reservoir will need to be refilled regularly to maintain a consistent water source.
- Plant your seedling: Make a small hole in the center of the growing medium. Place your seedling or plant into the hole, and gently cover the roots with the surrounding medium.
- Water the plant: Initially, water the plant from the top to ensure the growing medium is entirely moist and the plant starts with a thorough watering. After that, the wick will transport water from the reservoir to your plant.
Grow Tray Wick Method Hydroponics System
A grow tray is another popular method for building a water wicking hydroponics system. Simply add a wick to the bottom of the growing tray, so it touches the water, and then add your growing medium. The seedling can be planted directly in the growing media. Cover the tray with a plastic dome cover to help retain moisture and create a humid environment.
Best Plants for Grow Tray System
The grow tray system is ideally suited for smaller, leafier plants that require less root space. Varieties of lettuce like Romaine, Butterhead, and Leaf lettuce are excellent choices due to their shallow root systems and moisture preferences. Herbs such as mint, basil, and parsley also perform well in this setup, as they prefer consistent moisture levels, which the wicking system provides. High-yield crops like spinach and chard can also flourish under these conditions, given their preference for wet, nutrient-rich soil. Finally, microgreens and sprouts, due to their quick growth cycle and shallow-rooting nature, are perfect candidates for this setup.
Types of Wicks and Medium for Grow Tray System
The efficiency of a grow tray system is largely dependent on the choice of wick and growing medium. The wick must be absorbent and durable, effectively transporting water from the reservoir to the plants. Materials such as cotton, felt, or microfiber are commonly used in grow tray systems due to their excellent water-wicking abilities. In terms of thickness, the wick should be wide enough to maintain consistent moisture levels for the plants.
For the growing medium, a balance between moisture retention and aeration is crucial. Cocopeat or coir, which is made from the husk of coconuts, is an excellent choice. It has a superb ability to retain water, yet it also allows for good air circulation, preventing waterlogging and root rot. Peat moss mixed with perlite is another effective choice, offering a light, well-draining substrate that holds moisture well. Hydroponic growers may also opt for rockwool or clay pebbles, both of which are popular in the hydroponics industry due to their excellent water-holding capacity and air permeability.
Step-by-Step Setup of Grow Tray System
- Choose your tray: Select a grow tray that is suitable for the size and number of plants you intend to grow. Most grow trays are rectangular, but choose a shape that suits your space.
- Drill a hole: Create a hole on one side of the grow tray using a drill. This hole should be slightly larger than the diameter of your wick.
- Insert the wick: Thread the wick through the hole from the inside of the tray, making sure it extends down into your water reservoir and up into the tray where the growing medium will be placed.
- Choose your growing medium: Fill the grow tray with your selected growing medium. This could be cocopeat, peat moss mixed with perlite, rockwool, or clay pebbles. Ensure the wick is thoroughly surrounded by the medium.
- Position the tray over the reservoir: Place the grow tray on top of the water reservoir, making sure the portion of the wick hanging out is submerged in the water. You will need to refill the reservoir regularly to keep a consistent water source for the plants.
- Plant your seedlings: Make small holes in the growing medium for your seedlings. Insert the seedlings and cover the roots with the medium, taking care not to damage the delicate root system.
- Water the plants: Initially, water the plants from above to ensure the medium is completely moistened. After that, the wick will draw water from the reservoir to the plants, providing a continuous supply of moisture.
- Cover the tray: If possible, cover the tray with a plastic dome to create a humid environment for the plants. This is particularly beneficial for seedlings and tropical plants, which prefer a humid atmosphere.
Drain Reservoir Wick Method Hydroponics System
The drainage reservoir setup involves creating a water reservoir at the bottom of the container instead of the top. Water is drawn through the wick from the bottom of the container, providing the plants with water and nutrients. Make sure that the wick is reaching the bottom of your container, and the water level touches it. Add the growing media, and it will receive moisture from the wick.
Best Plants for Drain Reservoir System
The drain reservoir wick method hydroponics system is versatile and can support a wide variety of plants. It is ideally suited for plants that thrive in conditions of consistent moisture and prefer deep root environments. Tomatoes, cucumbers, and other vining crops are excellent choices since they demand a steady water supply and have deep root systems. Similarly, root vegetables like carrots and beets perform well in this setup due to their preference for deep, moist soil. Herbs such as cilantro and dill, with their deep roots and need for consistent moisture, are also a good fit.
Types of Wicks and Medium for Drain Reservoir System
Choosing the right wick and growing medium is essential for the success of a drain reservoir system. The wick needs to be highly absorbent and durable to efficiently draw water from the reservoir to the plants. Synthetic fibers like nylon or polyester are often used due to their high absorbency and longevity. Alternatively, strips of old cotton cloth can also serve as effective wicks.
The growing medium should have good water retention while also providing sufficient aeration for the roots. Vermiculite is a popular choice due to its excellent water-holding capacity and ability to retain essential nutrients. Perlite, a lightweight, volcanic glass, is often mixed with vermiculite to enhance aeration and drainage. Expanded clay pebbles, known for their high porosity and air-filled cavities, can also be used in a drain reservoir system, effectively providing both moisture and oxygen to your plants. For those who prefer a more natural medium, a mix of peat moss and compost can be used. It offers excellent water retention, sufficient aeration, and as an added benefit, it’s rich in organic matter, which provides nutrients for your plants.
Step-by-Step Setup of Drain Reservoir System
- Select your container: Choose a suitable container that can hold the water reservoir at the bottom and has enough space for the plants above. The size of the container will depend on the type and number of plants you plan to grow.
- Create a hole: Drill a small hole in the bottom of the container. This hole should be only slightly larger than the diameter of your wick to prevent any unnecessary leakage of water.
- Insert the wick: Thread the wick through the hole from the inside of the container to the outside. The wick should extend up into the container where the growing medium will be placed and down into the reservoir.
- Fill with growing medium: Fill the container with your chosen growing medium – this could be a mix of vermiculite and perlite, expanded clay pebbles, or peat moss and compost. Make sure the wick is completely surrounded by the medium.
- Add water to the reservoir: Pour water into the reservoir at the bottom of the container. Ensure the water level is high enough to touch the bottom of the wick.
- Plant your seedlings: Make small holes in the growing medium for your seedlings. Insert the seedlings and cover the roots with the medium. Be careful not to damage the roots during this process.
- Water the plants: Initially, water the plants from above to ensure the medium is fully moistened. After this, the wick will draw water from the reservoir to the plants.
- Monitor and refill the reservoir: Keep an eye on the water level in the reservoir and refill it as necessary. The wick will continuously provide the plants with water from the reservoir, so it’s important to ensure that it doesn’t run dry.
Happy Hydroponic Gardening!
A water wick method hydroponics system is a great way to grow plants without soil and can be set up in a wide variety of ways, depending on your needs. You can use a simple mason jar, a bucket, a grow tray, or a drain reservoir system. These wick method hydroponics systems are useful for growing a variety of crops indoors and outdoors, and they are easy to set up and maintain. Try building a water wicking hydroponic system today, and enjoy the thrill of seeing your plants grow day by day.
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